CENTER TWP — The township supervisors Wednesday voted 4-1 to approve the Outdoor Entertainment Ordinance, which puts restrictions on noise levels for gatherings of more than 50 people.

Ronald Flatt, board chairman, cast the dissenting vote.

The noise ordinance was specifically in response to live concerts and comedians that the Starlight Drive-In hosted during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ordinance applies to all gatherings of 50 or more people using sound amplifying equipment.

“I do not oppose the activities of the drive-in,” Flatt said. “I think this should be dealt with in another way.”

“This was a long time coming: over a year,” said Gina Klopfer, a resident and business owner in the area. “Although it's been two and a half months since the last concert.”

“Time will tell on enforcement, but our intent was not to shut down the drive-in,” said Tom Wilson, a township resident.

The recent changes that were adopted on Wednesday include a charitable organization exemption and payment for the noise level assessment as the responsibility of the group violating the ordinance.

“I think Ron wanted to deal with this issue through zoning instead of a noise ordinance,” Wilson said.

The permit can only be applied for in three districts of the township: the Highway Commercial District, Light Industrial District and Heavy Industrial District.

The permit needs to be applied for 30 days before an event. The sound levels cannot be higher than 75 decibels at 25 feet outside the property of the event. The ordinance applies to all events from 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The penalty for violating the ordinance is a fine of $750 to $1,000. Extending the permit for later than 10 or 11 p.m. will require permission by the supervisors.